Ferrari 360 Spider

Why it matters

Unveiled at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, the 360 Spider was engineered alongside the Modena rather than converted as an afterthought. Ferrari reinforced the aluminum spaceframe through enlarged sills, strengthened floor sections and a rigid windscreen surround, preserving structural strength while keeping weight controlled. Pininfarina reshaped the rear deck around a fully automatic fabric roof and twin buttresses, retaining the 360's flowing aerodynamics and a transparent cover above the V8. Its 3,586 cc flat-plane-crank engine used five valves per cylinder and titanium connecting rods to produce 400 hp at 8,500 rpm, paired with either a six-speed gated manual or electrohydraulic F1 transmission. Adaptive dampers, traction control and a flat underbody made the Spider both approachable and capable, while a top speed of 290 km/h proved the open car sacrificed little performance. Approximately 7,565 examples were produced before the F430 Spider arrived. By combining sophisticated aluminum construction, everyday usability and an uninterrupted high-revving soundtrack, the 360 Spider established the modern formula for Ferrari's mid-engined convertibles.